Hi, I wanted to let you know I will be seen on a the Japan show "Unbelievable". A camera crew came to my home today to video my artwork and interview me. The crew was here for 5 1/2 hours and I have to say it was one of the most interesting days, never have I been on tv. The show is only seen in Japan, they travel around the world looking for people with unbelievable skills, it's been on for 10 years and it's very popular. I was very honored to be asked to appear on the show. Once I find out the air date I will let you know. Also I found a link to a free small video player for Japan TV, if you would like to watch the show DL the viewer here: [link] the name of the file is: SetupKHTV3.13. exe

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Here is a little info on how I scan my drawings: [link]
I'll write up something on editing a digital photo soon

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In a recent online article written about my artwork many comments were left, both positive and negative...here are two of the many I found interesting.

A comment left:

Full marks to the artist for skill.
But what’s the point of duplicating something you can now do more easily with photography? That’s like insisting on connecting to the internet with a 2400 baud modem. Instead of focusing on what the artist can duplicate by hand, how about what the artist can do with her skill that is more original.

Comment left by anohter in response to above:

Instead of your 2400 baud modem analogy, I think it is more like driving from NY to California instead of flying. You get to the same place but you have two completely different experiences, and one has the potential for an adventure of sorts. Art isn’t about doing everything the ‘easy’ way: if you equate everything artistic with modems and computer hardware, then of course you will not appreciate this artwork.

If you think that this isn’t art, then you would also be opposed to the work of Ansel Adams. Most of his work uses only what nature gave him as a subject: his artistic expression was the manner in which he presented the subject, not the subject which he presented. If you don’t consider this art then you have a very narrow view of art.

Art is not just about presenting a novel subject, it also involves the presentation of a subject in a manner which evokes emotion. Don’t look at this like it’s a photocopy: an artist with integrity will create something which is an expression of their own emotion, and this doesn’t always involve fanciful or imaginary things. There is a lot of joy and pride to be derived from faithfully representing real life in another medium.

To those of you who think this isn’t art, if you haven’t tried graphite I urge you to do so: if you give it an honest shot you’ll appreciate this so much more, even if you just ‘copy’ a photograph. Thank you Ms. Huber!

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A question that has been asked of me many times:
How do you get your drawings to look so realistic?

I draw not only what I see but what I know! For example, from years of doing portrait work I know the anatomy of a face, I also know for realism you should never skip over any individual details. Details such as that perfect balance of light and shadow to define the shape of ones face, unique flickers of light in each eye, hair texture, (including eyelashes and eyebrows) and even pours in the skin. Often times when drawing extreme details I will not look at the whole and will turn the reference and drawing upside-down and work on a tiny section. This technique forces me to focus more intently on those details. It's so relaxing and so natural for me to draw in such a blind state.

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IMAGINEE Drawing Tips ::

Deciding on a new drawing takes much time, not only does the reference photo have to be clear and large but it needs to be detailed and interesting, also have excellent contrast. If I am drawing something new (that I have yet to draw) I will look at many references and take in as much info as possible before starting, I want to see the subject from all sides.

After I select a reference I draw out a 1/2 - 1 inch grid using an h pencil. I then print out a few copies of the ref. one I print the grid on, one is printed out darker (to better see shadows), one is lighter (to see details in shadows) and a few are close up's....it varies with each drawing. I draw a very light outline and then begin.... I start with the upper left corner and work my way down and to the right. I tend to turn the reference and drawing upside down and draw much of the piece like this, you can see shapes much easier this way. I am constantly reminding myself to look closer at the subject, see the fine details and draw everything, look at how the shadows fade away and draw it that way, see the different textures and draw them as they are. Details make the piece come alive so never pass up on any!

Only use good contrast photos (lots of darks and light tones) a good balance makes for a great drawing. Draw what you see in the reference but also draw what you know it should look like. Use a mirror when drawing a portrait, besides the photo reference you are your best reference. Most of what we draw is made up of precisely blended tones, so keep that in mind always. Rushing through an area can ruin the whole piece so never EVER rush. Finishing a small area at a time gives you the same feeling as when you finish the whole piece (u need to program yourself).

I use mostly a 3B, B and H pencil, some plain tissue and a blending stick/stump. I draw a few details in a small area and then color in tones and blend them with the tissue, I then go back over that area and darken up the details and put a new layer down, blend and repeat if needed. If I am shading an area and I want it to be as dark as possible I never blend, I just color the area in with close together pencil strokes and then go back over it a few times until it is as dark as I can get it. Highlights are left untouched and if they do get smudged I lighten em up with the kneaded eraser. I use a Mechanical pencil for all details...wood pencils are great for filling in tones. I work about an inch an hour on detailed areas. I use Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Board (smooth or vellum), any name brand Mechanical pencils and Derwent wood pencils.

Here is a list of tips (most of what was said above)


- Use only clear large reference photos (get permission if it's not a free stock photo)
- Use good contrast photos (lots of darks and light tones) a good balance makes for a great drawing
- Print out the reference in grayscale, lighten the photo to better see shadowed areas (print different samples)
- Do not draw from full frontal flash photos, they will look flat
- Begin with a light outline (draw a one inch grid with the H)
- Use a clean piece of plain paper under your drawing hand to prevent any smudges
- Keep works in progress (wips) covered when your not working on them
- Work on a small, 1-2 inch area at a time, finish it to near perfection before moving on
- Use a mechanical pencil to draw in details, the point is always sharp
- Leave highlights untouched and draw around them, use the kneaded eraser to lift out highlights when needed
- Color in tones with light-med pressure making sure to keep you pencil strokes close together
- When coloring in an area use circular stokes making sure to overlap all
- Wrap a piece of clean plain tissue around one finger and blend your mid tones
- Blend medium tones and then recolor in the area, build your tones until they are realistic
- Blend all hard lines, unless they are also seen in the reference or in real life
- Use a mirror when drawing a portrait, besides the photo reference you are your best reference
- Use a 3b pencil to build up the darkest tones, layer them and do not blend for near black tones
- Go darker to give the drawing more depth
- Turn the drawing and reference upside down to better see and render shapes
- Draw ever tiny detail you see, it’s the details that give the drawing realism
- Use light layers of a workable fixative on the finished drawing to help reduce graphite shine and smudges
- Keep in mind that an artist never stops growing, like everything in life you learn as you go along, time truly is your friend.
- Oh and if you rush a drawing it will show so sloooooow way down and enjoy your artistic journey.